This smoothbore weapon was developed in France in the 1850’s and named for Emperor Napoleon III. Adopted by the United States Army in 1857 the Napoleon became termed the ‘workhorse” of Civil War Artillery, for its manoeuvrability and the range of ammunition that could be fired. Solid shot was for battering and against massed troops.

Shells employed a time fuse to explode against buildings, earth-works and troops under cover, with demoralizing effect. A round of spherical case (shrapnel) contained 78 musket balls and was timed to burst over or in front of troops, from 500 to 1500 yards. Canister contained 27 cast iron shot and was used with lethal effect at close range, 350 yards or less against massed troops.